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2d ago

Big Bend’s Chisos Mountains Lodge Closes Indefinitely as Pump Failure Triggers Severe Water Cuts

Aging infrastructure awaits replacement under a May project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act.

FILE: Hikers walk the terrain around the Chisos Basin of Big Bend National Park in Texas.
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The Chisos Mountains Lodge restaurant building is at the base of beautiful Casa Grande peak in Big Bend National Park, Texas.

Overview

  • Park officials report no timeline for restoring service after a Dec. 23 failure at Oak Spring, with repairs expedited and the backup pump out for service.
  • Spigots, sinks, and toilets are shut off in parts of the Chisos Basin, the campground remains open under restrictions, and limited drinking water is available at a Panther Junction spigot.
  • Managers warn the basin could close if storage tanks fall to firefighting minimums, and charcoal and wood fires are currently prohibited.
  • The lodge’s operator has relocated some guests to nearby hotels, while others were advised to await rebooking or request refunds.
  • Long-term projects scheduled to start May 1 will replace the lodge and upgrade the 1950s-era water distribution system, as other southwestern parks also contend with water shortages.